General Cass, the Secretary of State, sent for me, having learned that I had been in the department about the time of the consultation between the President, himself and Mr.Dimitry.
"How did you get this ?" he asked rather sharply.
"Out of my inner consciousness," I answered with flippant familiarity.
"Didn't you know that I have what they call second sight ?" The old gentleman laughed amiably.

"It would seem so," he said, and sent me about my business without further inquiry.
V In the National Capital the winter of 1860-61 was both stormy and nebulous.

Parties were at sea.

The Northerners in Congress had learned the trick of bullying from the Southerners.

In the Senate, Chandler was a match for Toombs; and in the House, Thaddeus Stevens for Keitt and Lamar.